When the DCU finally visits Gotham City, it won't be a gentle introduction. Clayface, the upcoming film starring Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie, is diving headfirst into R-rated territory with body horror and violence that had early audiences squirming. But according to its leads, the grotesque spectacle is anchored by a deeply human—and deeply tragic—love story.
In a recent conversation, Harries and Ackie opened up about the film's boundary-pushing script, the practical effects that left the actor "on his last legs," and why they believe the DCU is the perfect place for such a bold swing. The movie, originally penned by Mike Flanagan, follows Matt Hagen (Harries), a Gotham street kid who claws his way to Hollywood stardom—only to be disfigured in an attack by a local crime boss and abandoned by his team. Desperate, he turns to an experimental treatment that seems to restore him, but it soon sends him spiraling out of control.
A love story wrapped in horror
While the R-rated violence and gooey transformations are already generating buzz, both actors stress that the emotional core is what makes the horror land. "Matt thinks he's in a rom-com, and he's jump-scared by the fact that he might actually be in psychological horror," Harries says. Ackie adds that the romantic relationship at the center "adds to the tragedy." Without that connection, Harries notes, the audience wouldn't feel the loss: "You've got to care about what these people are going through and be rooting for something for you to feel any kind of loss."
That balance between heart and horror is exactly what the duo hopes will set Clayface apart. Ackie recalls reading the script and thinking, "Damn right!" when she encountered the extreme content. "It felt perfect," she says. Harries agrees, calling the DCU a "unique opportunity" to take risks. "Whether it's a horror or any number of genres, for us to be pushing the envelope on that front is such a good opportunity."
The Maggot and other practical nightmares
Among the film's many practical effects, one in particular stands out: a latex suit nicknamed "The Maggot," which required Harries to be drenched in rain and thick, gooey liquid. "It was a fun day for everybody else apart from me," he jokes. Ackie confirms, "I've got pictures of my friend with Tom covered in this goo, and it was a good day." The scene is sure to make audiences freak out—and that's precisely the point.
For those who relish boundary-pushing cinema, Clayface promises to deliver. If you're a fan of R-rated hard sci-fi films or practical-effects horror, this is one to watch. And for more upcoming genre thrills, check out the new trailer for '12 12 12', a heist thriller with Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan.
Harries and Ackie also admit they can't wait to experience the film with a packed theater. They first watched it together in London with just three people in the cinema, and even then, the reactions were loud. "We were loud and cackling and horrified," Ackie says. "It was so much fun."
With its mix of visceral body horror, a doomed romance, and a Gotham City debut, Clayface is shaping up to be one of the most daring DC projects yet. The film also stars Max Minghella as John Borrelli and is directed by James Watkins. It opens in theaters on October 23.
